### 152

The rain has become heavier while you have been in the tavern. You raise the hood of your woollen cloak and hurry towards the blacksmithy on the opposite side of the paved village road. As you approach the open doors, you sense that something is wrong. There is no sign of Anseng or the blacksmith, and Anseng’s horse is also missing. Only your horse remains in the workshop that houses the blacksmith’s forge and anvil. You detect fresh tracks in the rust-red dirt of the floor that lead out of the building. Some were made by a horse; others resemble bare human footprints that are significantly larger than normal sized feet. These tracks were made no more than 15 minutes ago. Then you detect a sound coming from somewhere above the workshop: it is the dull thud of a hammer striking a timber floor.

If you wish to climb a flight of stairs to the upper floor of the blacksmith’s shop and investigate the curious noise, turn to 295.

If you decide to mount your horse and follow the fresh tracks, turn to 93.